Herbal Nests

[bluemoon]

I read somewhere ages ago that Starlings build 'Herbal Nests', that is, they line the nests with herbal plants... except that not all Starlings do it. A study compared hatch rates and survival rates between the two and realized that both were better in the herbal nests when compared to the non-herbal ones. The theory was that the herbs repelled external parasites so that the parent bird sat tighter, improving hatching, and that fewer parasites allowed more chicks to grow to maturity. Wonder if it would work with chickens?... Though I suppose I'd have to find a type of herb that mum wouldn't munch on day 1, lol!

[CoraxAurata]

Rosemary is supposed to have anti bug properties and I watched a bird of prey line its nest (occupied by baby) with I think it was pine sprigs though it may have been fir (on TV) which I gathered helps with bacteria an little creepies too....

[RichmondHens]

Well I powder all my birds on a regular basis to keep parasites to a minimum and always give the broodies a good dusting prior to setting them on eggs. I also check them during the incubation too - they're so used to me handling them anyway they don't seem to mind and take it all in their stride. I have read that tobacco stems in the nest lining will repel parasites too, although haven't tried it myself.

[julesapple]

In a shop near us they sell meadow hay with dried marigolds and geranium flower heads. I know they both have medicinal properties.

I haven't bought any, but did wonder if it would be good for the girls in the winter when they might need some extra warmth in the chook house. It's probably just a pretty-pretty thing rather than any practical use.

Jules

[Snadger]

In a shop near us they sell meadow hay with dried marigolds and geranium flower heads. I know they both have medicinal properties.

I haven't bought any, but did wonder if it would be good for the girls in the winter when they might need some extra warmth in the chook house. It's probably just a pretty-pretty thing rather than any practical use.

Jules

I was advised against using hay.........something to do with it going mouldy and giving off toxins?

[julesapple]

Ewww.....

......stay away from that then!

The girls have had the trimmings from the basil & parsley plants today - not impressed by those greens! They do like the watercress though, but cabbage is favourite.

Jules